kyrebel_44
New member
Using Google Earth, does anyone actually use the elevations in it for the laying of track?
Google Earth?
- Thread starter kyrebel_44
- Start date
I have, but the route has not yet been released. And I see that just a few minutes after you started this one, Stuart shared a route he has prepared from Google Earth. (http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?90514-Am-I-crazy-for-attempting-this).
ns
ns
stuartluff
New member
I've not done it to exact measures apart from the river. Then I've used google maps (not earth) as a rough guide for the topography thereafter. The image/link in my post I actually have at a much higher resolution and can zoom right in on it. The one I posted was just to keep the files size down to post here. I took screen grabs from GM and stitched them together in photoshop. Its friggin huuge! hehe
kyrebel_44
New member
I use both maps & earth. I like getting it as close to it as I possibly can......I like the way, in earth you can put down a path then view it elevation, that is where I get my elevations from to lay my track.....that is why I was asking...but way cool Thx Stuart & mjolnir
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The keyword is DEM, for Digital Elevation Model, a digital cartographic map with height or elevation as its only feature. For the US you will find 1/3 arc sec resolution for the 48 contiguous states, published by the USGS, and available for free. 1/3 arc sec stands for the horizontal resolution. That's good enough to shape the right-of-way of railways. You may even find 1/9 arc sec DEMs for selected regions.
While Google Earth renders some elevation data as well, the easiest way is to obtain a DEM from the source directly, USGS Seamless Viewer (US data only).
To process DEM data use either MicroDEM/HOG (freeware) or TransDEM (payware). To combine aerial images with MicroDEM/HOG DEM terrain you will probably need US TIGER vector data, too. Otherwise it becomes very difficult to align aerial images with the terrain. TransDEM has integrated features to combine different geo data sources.
While Google Earth renders some elevation data as well, the easiest way is to obtain a DEM from the source directly, USGS Seamless Viewer (US data only).
To process DEM data use either MicroDEM/HOG (freeware) or TransDEM (payware). To combine aerial images with MicroDEM/HOG DEM terrain you will probably need US TIGER vector data, too. Otherwise it becomes very difficult to align aerial images with the terrain. TransDEM has integrated features to combine different geo data sources.
kyrebel_44
New member
WOW....Over load here..J/K...
...Did not realize there was all this stuff to use out there...WAY COOL!!!!!!!!!!!
...Did not realize there was all this stuff to use out there...WAY COOL!!!!!!!!!!!For MicroDEM/HOG Wewain's tutorial should illustrate the workflow. It's a bit older but the basic principles still apply.
TransDEM comes with its own step-by-step tutorials in the manuals. More tutorials and links and instructions for geo data resources can be found in the TransDEM forum.
TransDEM comes with its own step-by-step tutorials in the manuals. More tutorials and links and instructions for geo data resources can be found in the TransDEM forum.
Approach_Medium
Trainz Addict
I use GE only for creating the track maps, which I then import to TransDem Trainz Edition. I get my elevation maps (DEMs) from the USGS Seamless Server (for the USA), then merge the pieces in TransDem, add the track maps to create my route.
I also use GE for rough images which can be used in TransDem to create ground textures that will help you in placing your scenery objects and painting the final textures. Note that you can get more detail from the GE images in TransDem by downloading and installing the additional texture files. See the TransDem manual for this process.
Once the route has been created, you need to grade your track (add tunnels, bridges, and generally smooth out the bumps), add junctions, etc. It is a time consuming and often tedious process, but this has been my method for creating prototype routes for years.
I am currently working in GE (free edition) to create a track map of the entire USA! I have much of the northeast complete so far. From these track maps, I can select any state(s) to import to TransDem to create a route in a specific area.
Happy Demming
FW
I also use GE for rough images which can be used in TransDem to create ground textures that will help you in placing your scenery objects and painting the final textures. Note that you can get more detail from the GE images in TransDem by downloading and installing the additional texture files. See the TransDem manual for this process.
Once the route has been created, you need to grade your track (add tunnels, bridges, and generally smooth out the bumps), add junctions, etc. It is a time consuming and often tedious process, but this has been my method for creating prototype routes for years.
I am currently working in GE (free edition) to create a track map of the entire USA! I have much of the northeast complete so far. From these track maps, I can select any state(s) to import to TransDem to create a route in a specific area.
Happy Demming
FW